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At 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 1, People's Government of Sichuan province held a press conference regarding the 2008 Beijing Olympic Torch Relay and Display in Sichuan Province.
Press Release for Beijing Olympic Torch Relay and Display in Sichuan Province
By Yu Wei
Associate Director of Beijing Olympic Torch Relay Sichuan Organizing Committee and Scretary-General of Sichuan Provincial People’s Government
August 1, 2008
Dear friends from the press,
Good morning!
As the imposing ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games is about to open soon, the long-cherished dream of Chinese nation is within easy reach. Today, we gather here to hold the press conference for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Torch Relay and Display in Sichuan Province. First of all, on behalf of the Olympic Torch Relay Sichuan Organizing Committee, I’d like to extend a heartfelt welcome to all the friends from the press both at home and abroad who are present here at this press conference! Next, I’m going to give you a brief introduction regarding the 2008 Beijing Olympic Torch Relay and Display in Sichuan Province.
Ⅰ. Basic information about torch relay and display in Sichuan Province
Sichuan is the last stop for the Olympic Torch Relay outside Beijing, the capital of China. On the second of August, the holy fire of Olympic Torch that represents a combination of peace, friendship, light and hope will be transferred from Tianjin, Jiangsu Province to Sichuan Province and torch relay activities will then be staged from August 3 to 5 for a total period of 3 days in Guang’an, Leshan and Chengdu cities, with a total mileage of 28km. Meanwhile, the holy fire of Olympic Torch will be displayed on the fourth of August in Mianyang and Guanghan.
(Ⅰ) The relay of holy fire
1. Guang’an: 7:30-9:00A.M. of August 3rd; total mileage: 7.3km; number of torch-bearers: 189; average mileage covered by each torch-bearer: 38.6m; starting point: former residence of Deng Xiaoping; ending point: Exhibition Center; depart for Leshan at 10:00.
2. Leshan: 7:30-9:00A.M. of August 4th; total mileage: 7.5km; number of torch-bearers: 185; starting point: Mingshan Pavilion of Emei Mt.; ending point: Yingbin Square of Emei Mt.; depart for Chengdu at 10:00.
3. Chengdu: 8:00-11:00A.M. of August 5th; total mileage: 13.2km; number of torch-bearers: 315; starting point: export processing zones of Chengdu; ending point: International Conference Exposition Center.
(Ⅱ) The display of holy fire
1. Mianyang: holy fire to be displayed from 14:30-15:30 on August 4th in Jiuzhou Stadium with a total of 88 torch bearers participating in the display activities.
2. Guanghan: holy fire to be displayed from 17:00-18:00 on August 4th in the Museum of Sanxingdui Ruins with a total of 85 torch bearers participating in the display activities.
According to the arrangement of BOCOG, the originally set period of torch relay in Sichuan Province was 4 days from June 15 to 18 in the eight cities of Guang’an, Mianyang, Guanghan, Leshan, Zigong, Yibin, Dujiangyan and Chengdu. After the “5.12” Wenchuan massive earthquake took place and also out of the care and loving of Sichuan Province, BOCOG had adjusted the route and time of torch relay in Sichuan and therefore eventually formed the torch relay plan in Guang’an, Leshan and Chengdu for a period of 3 days from August 3 to 5 with torch display activities to be held in Mianyang and Guanghan at the same time.
Ⅱ. Information about torch bearers for torch relay and display
The number of torch bearers to take part in the torch relay and display activities in Sichuan Province totals 862, of which 504 were selected by the provincial government, 77 by China Olympic Committee, 15 by BOCOG, 2 by IOC and 235 by sponsors. The selection of the 504 torch bearers by the provincial government was conducted according to the principle of “a public, impartial selection available to the grassroots levels including ordinary laborers” by the means of unit recommendation and has virtually covered all walks of life including industral and agricultural sectors, military affairs, national defense, science and technology, recreational and sports circles, education, traffic and transportation, tourism, communications as well as press campaign. The names of all the torch bearers selected are published in Sichuan Daily.
Torch bearers for torch relay and display activities in Sichuan Province include: Olympic champion Gao Min, Zhu Ling, Zhang Shan, Chen Longcan, Tang Lin and Chen Jing; world champion Tong Ling, Wang Wei, Jiao Shihua and Chen Lili; demobilized national army model cardre Lin Qiang; national model worker Wang Shunyou; national “My Favorite Top 10 Policewoman”: Tang Min; “Top 10 Moving China Figure” Liang Wanjun; academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering Peng Xianjue; 91-year-old red army member Rong Jinlong; Tibetan singer Rongzhong Erjia.
Another 33 torch bearers are from over 20 countries and regions including the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand and Malaysia; another 6 are from Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Taiwan.
After the “5.12” Wenchuan massive earthquake took place, another 29 torch bearers have been selected from a large number of officers and men of PLA, armed police and public security police, medical and anti-epidemic workers, journalists as well as college teachers and students who have worked in the front line and been commended at provincial or ministerial level, which include Yu Zhirong, the colonel of the heroic army and aviation regiment of disaster fighting; Gong Juncang from the third squad of the Armed Police and the hydroelectric board, the advanced individual of the wrecking crew for Tangjiashan barrier lake; Zheng Qiang, the outstanding Party member from the Department of People’s Armed Force of Youxian District in Manyang city and commended by the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee for bravery in fighting against the earthquake; Jiang Min, Top Grade Hero and Model awarded by the Ministry of Public Security; Fei Fuxing, medical worker awarded the National May 1 Labor Prize; Zhu Jianguo, journalist from West China City Newspaper and advanced individual of national coverage of “5.12” Wenchuan massive earthquake; Tan Guoqiang, the Tibetan principal of Yingxiu Primary School in Wenchuan county; Ma Xiaofeng, the heroic teenager who stood up to the test of the earthquake disaster. All these heroes will participate in the torch relay activities in Chengdu, Guang’an and Leshan as well as the display activities in Mianyang and Guanghan.
Ⅲ. Unique features of torch relay and display activities in Sichuan Province
(Ⅰ) Close combination of torch relay and display with the promotion of earthquake relief spirit
Although Sichuan has been the major and also the most severely affected area of the “5.12” Wenchuan massive earthquake, the disaster has never shaken the determination of 88 million Sichuan people to support and succeed in hosting the Beijing Olympic Games. Nor has the earthquake crushed the expectations of Chinese nation to realize a dream that has been cherished for over a century. People of all nationalities in Sichuan have been uniting closely together and acting in one mind to put on a hard struggle and overcome all kinds of adversities, fully representing a human-oriented and science-honored spirit of earthquake fighting and relief, which in nature is in line with the Olympic spirit of pushing the limits, striving to make new progress, struggling with dauntless endeavors and never giving up. At present, the provincial earthquke relief work is at the crucial phase of affected people relocation and homeland reconstruction. To be carried out under such a special background, the torch relay activities within our province will focus on the theme of “Carry on the Holy Fire, Promote the Spirit of Earthquake Fighting and Rebuild a Promising Homeland”, and demonstrate to the world the mental outlook of all nationalities in Sichuan to fight against the natural disaster and rebuild our homeland as well as a spirit of happy celebration of, positive participation in and joyous sharing with the Olympic Games. During the course of torch relay and display, we’ll implement the guiding principle of hosting the Olympic Games in an economical way and simplify the the ceremony at the starting and ending spots of torch relay; strictly forbid lavish expenditure on fixed assets like automobiles in the name of torch relay; all cities of torch relay and display are not allowed to invite film stars or singers to join relevant torch relay and display activities.
(Ⅱ) Distinctive features of cities for torch relay and display
1. Guang’an is known as the hometown of Deng Xiaoping, the chief architect of China’s socialist reform, the policy of opening-up to the outside world and the socialist modernization. As we look back from a historical perspective, we cannot and will not forget Deng Xiaoping, the master mind of the century who clearly stated the fact that “China with successful experience of running the Asian Games will be definitely capable of hosting the Olympic Games as well”. We pick Guang’an as the first city of torch relay in Sichuan Province in order to honor the master mind’s profound sentiments for the Olympic Games.
2. Leshan, as the important posthouse along the South Silk Road before 2000, is the second city chosen for the Olympic Games torch relay in Sichuan. As one of the four dual heritages (the world cultural and natural heritages) in China, Emei Mt.-Leshan Buddha represents an important mark of the cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world. The Beijing Olympic Torch Relay in the scenic area of Emei Mt. will better and collectively exhibit the enriched historic and cultural traits of Sichuan Provincie as well as its broad and fascinating landscapes.
3. Chengdu, known as the technology, trade and financial center as well as the traffic and communications hub in the southwest of China, has also long been recognized as an important historic and cultural city. Centering around the concept of “Green Olympics, Scientific Olympics and Humanity Olympics”, the torch relay activities in Chengdu will fully showcase Sichuan people’s mental outlook of happy celebration of, participation in and devotion to the Olympic Games.
4. As the severely affected areas during Wenchuan massive earthquake, Mianyang and Deyang will incorporate the elements of Olympics with those of a earthquake fighting and homeland rebuilding spirit, collectively demonstrate the determination of self-reliance and hard struggle as well as the actions of rebuilding their homeland and supporting the Olympic Games. With these efforts, we hope to share with Beijing and the whole world the heroic undertaking of people in the quake-striken areas who are uniting together and acting in one mind to share the passion of the Olympics and push the human limits, leaving a magnificent page in the history of the Olympic Games.
Ⅳ. Preparatory work for the torch relay and display in Sichuan Province
(Ⅰ) The provincial Party committee and people’s government attach great importance to the preparatory work for the Olympic torch relay and display, conducting researches and making deployment on many occasions for the torch relay and display in Sichuan Province. Liu Qibao, Secretary of Sichuan Provincial Party Committee, addressed time and again with important instructions on the work of Olympic torch relay and display and also personally took care of the coordination of major issues. Provincial governor Jiang Jufeng presided over the working conferences of organizing committee to establish the principle of “security first, territory responsibility, minimized scale, categorized implementation, ensured supervision and faultless efforts”, thus formulating a general working program with regard to the meticulous deployment of the torch relay and display work in our province. On July 25, the provincial people’s government held standing conference and debriefed the Report on Preparatory Work for Beijing Olympic Torch Relay and Display Activities in Sichuan Province by the provincial organizing committee. On July 29, the standing committee of Sichuan provincial Party committee again debriefed the report by the provincial organizing committee. On July 31, the provincial Party committee and the provincial people’s government held a video conference on the greeting of Olympic Games and the good preparation of torch relay and display work, mobilizing the provincial efforts for the arrangement of relevant work during the Olympic Games. Under the unified deployment of provincial Party committee as well as the provincial people’s government, leading comrades of Party committes and governments of all cities of torch relay and display should personally see to it that the relevant responsibilities are well located so that various preparations can progress effectively.
(Ⅱ) Carefully compile the general working program for the Olympic torch relay and display. According to the requirements of BOCOG, cities of torch relay have given great importance to the task with meticulous arrangement in line with the local cultural characteristics, natural landscapes as well as architectural achievements. After repeated demonstration, on-site inspection and countless revisions, the compilation of daily route of torch relay has been completed. Based on the routes of torch relay that have already been finalized, the provincial organizing committee has completed the collective compilation of the entire route for torch relay in the province. In order to work out a general working program that effectively fits the reality of our province, the office of provincial organizing committee has edited and formulated General Working Program for Beijing Olympic Torch Relay and Display Activities in Sichuan Province after organizing tours in neighboring provinces and cities to learn from their advanced experience and also based on the gathering of working plans from all departments. The Program was then submitted for discussion at the third and fourth session of the organizing committee conferences on July 9 and 22 respectively. The revised general working program mainly includes 12 aspects such as the arrangement of torch-relay cities and torch bearers, security and safeguarding, news coverage and media publicity, transportation between different cities of torch relay, logistics guarantee as well as organization and commanding. Under the overall frame of the working program, relevant cities and departments have further compiled and improved the working programs for the torch-relay cities and another eight special working programs.
(Ⅲ) Conscientiously carry out on-site survey and rehearsal for torch-relay transfer between different cities. From July 11 to 31, in order to enhance the supervision and guidance on the preparatory work for the torch relay and display activities in all the relevant cities, deputy secretary of Sichuan pronvincial Party committee and Sichuan provincial governor Jiang Jufeng, member of standing committee of CPC Sichuan provincial committee and Sichuan executive vice governor Wei Hong, member of standing committee of CPC Sichuan provincial committee and secretary of Sichuan provincial politics and law committee Wang Huaichen, and vice provincial governor Chen Wenhua personally led survey groups to investigate torch-relay routes in Guang’an, Leshan and Chengdu cities; conducted rehearsals for the torch-relay transfer from Guang’an to Leshan; inspected and instructed on the torch display activities in Mianyang and Guanghan cities, debriefed their reports and expressed clear requirements on the preparatory work for torch relay and display.
(Ⅳ) Attach great importance to various protection and security work. According to the requirements of BOCOG, organizing committees at local levels are the main body to prepare for the torch relay at local levels and therefore should take full responsibility of organization, news coverage, security guarantee, automobile operation, logistics supporting and treatment of emergencies during the course of torch relay in these cities so as to ensure a smooth and successful process. With special consideration to the safety and security aspects, the principle of “territory responsibility” has been fully implemented with carefully deployed security forces and improved safety measures. We always insist on the principle of “security first” being applied to each and every link of Olympic torch relay and display.
(Ⅴ) Enhance the efforts of news coverage and press publicity. Giving great importance to the Beijing Olympic Games as well as the torch relay and display in Sichuan Province, publicity departments and the press have set up special coloumns, pages and time intervals to introduce the preparatory work for the Olympic torch relay in Sichuan, general information about torch bearers and relevant cities, and also written speical coverages of hero and model torch bearers coming from the front line of earthquake fighting. Special documentaries and public-service commercials in different forms and contents that perfectly combine the earthquake relief spirit with the spirit of Olympics are being published, telecast or broadcast by different news media. Torch relay in Chengdu and Guang’an will then be live telecast by CCTV and SCTV from satellite and TV stations in Leshan, Mianyang and Guanghan cities will also live telecast this great event.
We are convinced that, under the firm leadership of the provincial Party committee and the provincial people’s government, thanks to the strong support from all nationalities in the province and from all circles of the society, and also guided by the careful and meticulous organization of Party committee and government of torch-relay and display cities, we will definitely accomplish with great success the various tasks of Olympic torch relay and display in Sichuan Province, making our due contribution to the sweeping victory of earthquake relief work, the realization of sound and rapid development of economy and society as well as the hosting of a “featured and high-standard” Olympic Games.
My dear friends from the press, it’s only two days before the holy fire of Olympic Games arrives and the torch relay starts in our province. We would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt appreaciation to your support in your reporting activities for the work of Sichuan provincial organizing committee! With great passion, we will continue to render relevant services to our journalists in their reporting tasks and try our very best to create good conditions for their work. Last but not least, wish you all the very best of luck in your job and hope you enjoy your stay in Sichuan!
Thank you for your attention!
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